Rising Stars: Meet Heather Rinkevich of Clawson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Heather Rinkevich.

Hi Heather, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
In March 2020, I decided to step back from a 20+ year career in higher education. After earning a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Administration and a master’s in Humanities, I spent years helping others reach their academic and career goals. But over time, the growing corporatization of education left me feeling burned out, and I knew I needed a change.

Around the same time, my husband was transitioning from his military career to serving as a firefighter/paramedic, which gave me the flexibility to finally explore a second career. For years, I had taken night classes in floral design, so stepping into the floral industry felt like a natural next step. I accepted a position managing a florist studio at a high-end design firm, thinking, this is it! But after just 2½ days on the job, the world shut down. I was laid off for the first time in my life, while my husband was called into nonstop front-line work as the pandemic unfolded.

Suddenly, I had all the time in the world to reflect and reinvent. I thought back to those few days in the floral studio and how disconnected the industry could be from everyday people, especially with the pandemic’s impact on global supply chains and rising costs. Flowers bring joy; they shouldn’t be a luxury only some can afford.

So, I started Heather’s Victory Gardens right from my home, with two raised garden beds, a business plan, and an idea to offer contactless porch pickups and deliveries of locally grown bouquets for under $20.

By year two, we were hosting Flower Bar Pop-Ups at local coffee shops, collaborating with other small businesses, and meeting couples looking for affordable, meaningful wedding florals as events slowly returned. The community support was incredible.

In year three, Heather’s Victory Gardens became a go-to name for local weddings and events. The movement to support small and local businesses was thriving and we were growing right along with it.

Today, five years later, HVG continues to bloom. We’ve expanded to weddings, festivals, and community markets, and we make it a priority to give back through collaborations with Girl Scout troops, charity work with animal groups, and volunteer garden projects for deserving neighbors.

Looking ahead, my next dream is to hire our first paid intern, ideally a local student so we can continue growing while nurturing the next generation of floral artists. Giving back is at the heart of what we do. After all, growth, generosity, and community are what nature teaches best and around here, we follow her lead.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not always been a smooth road, but one filled with growth and learning. Imposter syndrome is real, especially when making a career change that, to many, looks like a complete 180°. Some people know nothing about my previous 20+ year career in higher education or the years I spent taking floral design courses under a mentor with over five decades in the industry. Because I don’t have a “traditional” florist certification or a storefront, people sometimes assume I’m new to the field, without realizing the depth of experience and study behind what I do.

I’m a bit of an anomaly; I don’t fit neatly into a box. I grow most of my flowers right here on my property, from seed to bloom, then use those same stems in my designs. It’s an incredible process, but also one that comes with uncertainty. Every season, every crop, every design is an experiment. Gardening teaches humility quickly, nature always has the final say.

There are moments of doubt, of course, but I’ve learned that doing things differently often means you’re on the right path. Being a bit of a firebrand in a traditional industry can raise eyebrows, but it also sparks innovation. And that’s what keeps me going…knowing that every challenge, every experiment, and every season is part of building something authentic and meaningful.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
At Heather’s Victory Gardens, our mission is simple: to bring gorgeous, fresh, locally grown flowers to our community in a way that’s affordable, sustainable, and full of joy. We believe everyone deserves the beauty and happiness that flowers bring, no matter their budget.

We specialize in seasonal, locally grown blooms for all of life’s moments, from weddings and showers to “just because” bouquets. Our offerings include hand-tied bouquets, floral wearables, and custom arrangements, as well as bouquet subscriptions for those who want flowers to be part of their everyday life.

Beyond our design work, we love creating interactive floral experiences through workshops, Bouquet Bars, and Bouqtenders, where guests can build their own arrangements and learn about seasonal flowers in a fun, hands-on way. It’s our version of “slinging stems”, and it’s always a hit at weddings, community gatherings, and local events.

Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. Unlike most imported flowers that travel thousands of miles, often grown with heavy chemical use and shipped by air or sea, our flowers are grown right here, nurtured naturally, and harvested with care. We follow eco-conscious practices that reflect our values: reduce, reuse, recycle, and respect for nature.

What truly sets us apart is our commitment to community and connection. We grow flowers that tell a local story, rooted in the same soil as the people we serve. Every stem has purpose, every arrangement is crafted with heart, and every bouquet is a little piece of Clawson, shared with love.

Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Leaving a 20+ year career in higher education where I served as a director, was the primary breadwinner, and earned close to a six-figure salary to start over in an entirely new industry was definitely a risk. Especially for someone who doesn’t consider herself a risk-taker! I’m the person in my home who’s constantly assessing and minimizing risk, so making that kind of leap was completely outside my comfort zone.

But after being laid off just three days into my “new” job due to the pandemic, I decided to take that moment as an opportunity rather than a setback. I poured my energy into building something of my own, something rooted in creativity, community, and purpose.

Looking back now, I wouldn’t change a thing. Starting Heather’s Victory Gardens was both the scariest and most rewarding risk I’ve ever taken. It taught me that sometimes the biggest risks lead to the most meaningful growth not just professionally, but personally too. And I can’t imagine ever going back to the kind of structured environment I once thought was the only path forward.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.heathersvictorygardens.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathersvictorygardens/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heathersvictorygardens/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-rigby-rinkevich/